U.S. patent number 9,877,712 [Application Number 14/560,728] was granted by the patent office on 2018-01-30 for method and apparatus for placing a cannula over a standard switching stick.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Arthrex, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Arthrex, Inc.. Invention is credited to Kyle Anderson, Brian S. Cohen, Peter J. Dreyfuss, Matthew T. Provencher.
United States Patent |
9,877,712 |
Provencher , et al. |
January 30, 2018 |
Method and apparatus for placing a cannula over a standard
switching stick
Abstract
Cannula assemblies and methods of conducting surgeries. The
cannula assembly comprises a cannula that is sized for the common 4
mm arthroscopy switching stick, which is put in a one-step fashion
with the use of a unique switching stick inserter. All steps for
placement of the cannula are performed in a single forward motion,
i.e., no backing up of components are necessary for placement. The
method of conducting surgery includes the steps of: providing a
cannula/switching stick assembly comprising a cannula sized to
accommodate a corresponding switching stick, and a switching stick
inserter (modular handle) designed to fit on the switching stick,
and to help insert and control the switching stick; and inserting
the cannula/switching stick assembly through an arthroscopic portal
during a surgical procedure, in a single forward motion.
Inventors: |
Provencher; Matthew T. (Weston,
MA), Anderson; Kyle (West Bloomfield, MI), Dreyfuss;
Peter J. (Naples, FL), Cohen; Brian S. (Dublin, OH) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Arthrex, Inc. |
Naples |
FL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Arthrex, Inc. (Naples,
FL)
|
Family
ID: |
53264089 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/560,728 |
Filed: |
December 4, 2014 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20150150594 A1 |
Jun 4, 2015 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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61911512 |
Dec 4, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B
17/3421 (20130101); A61B 17/3417 (20130101); A61B
17/0218 (20130101); A61B 2017/00469 (20130101); A61B
2017/0046 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61B
17/34 (20060101); A61B 17/02 (20060101); A61B
17/00 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Beccia; Christopher
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rubin and Rudman LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
No. 61/911,512, filed Dec. 4, 2013, the entire disclosure of which
is incorporated by reference herein.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of placing a cannula over a switching stick during an
arthroscopic surgery to form a switching stick/cannula assembly,
comprising the steps of: connecting a switching stick inserter to a
switching stick; sliding a cannula over the switching stick in a
single forward motion without the use of an obturator; and
inserting the switching stick/cannula assembly into a joint space
in a single forward motion and without backing up the switching
stick from the joint space.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the switching stick inserter is a
modular handle.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the switching stick has an outer
diameter about equal to an inner diameter of a cannulated shaft of
the cannula.
4. A method of conducting arthroscopic surgery, comprising the
steps of: providing an incision in tissue at a joint location;
placing a cannula over a switching stick; subsequently, attaching
an inserter to the switching stick; and inserting the switching
stick and the cannula through the incision, by using the inserter
and pushing the switching stick and the cannula in a single-step
forward movement, and without backing out the switching stick from
the incision.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the switching stick has an outer
diameter about equal to an inner diameter of an elongated
cannulated shaft of the cannula.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the inserter is a hand-held
instrument.
7. The method of claim 4, wherein the cannula is designed to be
removably attached to the switching stick.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for surgical
procedures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Cannulas are often inserted into various portals such as
arthroscopic portals to provide a convenient passageway through
which various instruments may pass. Current cannulas are typically
provided with a reusable cannulated obturator which is inserted
over (goes over) a switching stick prior to cannula insertion. The
cannulated obturator and switching stick are typically used to
enlarge the size of the arthroscopic portal to allow access of
additional instruments such as cannulas.
There is a need for improved efficiency and size of cannulas that
are used in arthroscopic procedures. A method of placing a cannula
over a standard switching stick without the need of the surgeon to
remove his/her hand from the switching stick inserter is also
needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a cannula/switching stick assembly
and a method of placing a cannula over a standard switching
stick.
The present invention provides a cannula that is sized for the
common 4 mm arthroscopy switching stick, which is put in a one step
fashion with the use of a unique switching stick inserter. All
steps for placement of the cannula are performed in a single
forward motion, i.e., no backing up of components are necessary for
placement.
The present invention also provides methods of conducting
arthroscopic surgery by: (i) providing a cannula/switching stick
assembly comprising a cannula sized to accommodate a corresponding
switching stick, and a switching stick inserter (modular handle)
designed to fit on the switching stick, and to help insert and
control the switching stick; and (ii) inserting the
cannula/switching stick assembly through an arthroscopic portal
during a surgical procedure, in a single forward motion.
These and other features and advantages of the invention will be
more apparent from the following detailed description that is
provided in connection with the accompanying drawings and
illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a cannula/switching stick assembly of the present
invention (comprising a cannula, a switching stick and a switching
stick inserter/handle).
FIG. 2 shows a switching stick and a corresponding switching stick
inserter/handle according to another exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the following detailed description, reference is made to various
specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These
embodiments are described with sufficient detail to enable those
skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be
understood that other embodiments may be employed, and that
structural and logical changes may be made without departing from
the spirit or scope of the present invention.
The present invention provides a cannula/switching stick assembly
and a method of placing a cannula over a standard switching
stick.
Referring now to the drawings, where like elements are designated
by like reference numerals, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary
embodiment of cannula assembly 100 of the present invention.
Assembly 100 includes cannula 10 (for example, a 4 mm cannula 10)
that is inserted over a switching stick 20 (for example, a 4 mm
switching stick 20). Assembly 100 also includes a switching stick
inserter or handle 50 provided at the proximal end of the assembly
and designed to securely engage a most proximal end of the
switching stick 20. Preferably, switching stick inserter/handle 50
is modular and sized to fit on the switching stick 20. The
switching stick inserter/handle 50 helps insert and control the
switching stick 20 during surgery. The switching stick
inserter/handle 50 is fully cannulated in the exemplary embodiment
shown in FIG. 1.
Cannula 10 comprises an elongated body 11 (cannulated shaft 11)
having a proximal end 12 and a distal end 13. The elongated body 11
of cannula 10 is slidably moveable relative to the switching stick
20. Preferably, the switching stick 20 has an outer diameter about
equal to an inner diameter of cannulated shaft 11 of the cannula.
Cannula 10 is an arthroscopic cannula which may be formed of
various materials, for example, metals such as stainless steel (in
the shape of a stainless steel tubing), polymers such as
translucent polymer, or other known biocompatible materials, alloys
or compositions known in the art.
The elongated body 11 of cannula 10 may be also provided with a
plurality of threads. The optional threads may be provided on the
whole length of the elongated body 11 or, alternatively, on at
least a length of the body 11.
An outflow/inflow port 22 is provided at the proximal end 13 of the
body 11 of cannula 10. The outflow/inflow port 22 may be a fluid
passage with various configurations and cross-sections, for
example, a tubular configuration. The outflow/inflow port 22 may be
connected to a source of fluid or irrigation solution, gas, or
vacuum, for supplying irrigation or gas through the cannula to the
work site during the arthroscopic procedure. If desired, a sealing
means, such as a plastic cap, for example, may be optionally
employed to securely engage the distal end of the outflow/inflow
port 22 when the cannula is not attached to the switching
stick.
An exemplary method of conducting surgery comprises inter alia the
steps of (i) providing a cannula/switching stick assembly 100
comprising cannula 10, switching stick 20, and switching stick
inserter/handle 50; and (ii) inserting the cannula/switching stick
assembly 100 into an arthroscopic portal in a single, one-step
forward motion, during a surgical procedure.
Another exemplary method of conducting arthroscopic surgery
comprises inter alia the steps of: (i) providing an incision in
tissue at a joint location; (ii) placing a cannula 10 over a
switching stick 20; (iii) subsequently, attaching an inserter 50 to
the switching stick 20; and (iv) inserting the switching stick 20
and the cannula 10 through the incision, by using the inserter 50
and pushing the switching stick 20 and the cannula 10 in a
single-step forward movement, and without backing out the switching
stick 20 from the incision.
FIG. 2 illustrates a switching stick 20 and a corresponding
switching stick inserter/handle 150 according to another exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
Prior art cannulas typically utilize a reusable cannulated
obturator that goes over the switching stick as a second or third
step. The inventive system/assembly 100 of the present invention
allows the surgeon to place the cannula without removing the
surgeon's hand from the switching stick inserter. In this manner,
the efficiency of the overall arthroscopic surgery is improved as
well as the size of the cannula. The cannula is sized for a
standard 4 mm arthroscopy switching stick, which is put in a
one-step fashion with the use of a unique switching stick inserter.
All steps for placement of the cannula are performed in a single
forward motion, i.e., no backing up of components is necessary for
placement.
Although the assembly 100 of the invention can be used in large
body cavities such as the abdomen, it is particularly useful in
smaller cavities such as joints (i.e., knees, shoulders, elbows,
ankles, and the like). During arthroscopic surgery of a joint, the
joint is typically inflated with water as opposed to a gas which is
typically used in abdominal surgical procedures as the surgical
procedures performed within a joint are significantly different
from those performed within an abdominal cavity. Employing assembly
100 of the present invention in arthroscopic surgeries of joints
provides a low-cost, efficient and simple method for placing the
cannula and switching stick within the portal, without removing the
surgeon's hand from the switching stick inserter. In this manner,
the surgeon is not required to do a truly manual second step, i.e.,
the surgeon would not need to load the cannula onto the switching
stick after the switching stick is inserted in the joint space.
Although the present invention has been described in connection
with preferred embodiments, many modifications and variations will
become apparent to those skilled in the art. While preferred
embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated
above, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the
invention and are not to be considered as limiting. Accordingly, it
is not intended that the present invention be limited to the
illustrated embodiments, but only by the appended claims.
* * * * *